Surgeon&#39;s headlamp



April 23, 1963 J, H, SCOTT 3,086,516

SURGEONS HEADLAMP Filed April 2'7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3-| FIG. 2.

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A ril 23, 1963 J. H. SCOTT 3,086,515

SURGEONS HEADLAMP Filed April 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 74 FIG. 4.

m/l/suroz L/A MES H. Scar?" 5y HAS/477021405715 HAeR/s, A750, R0555. & KEEN United States Patent "3,086,516 SURGEONS" HEADLAM-P James H. Scott, Los-Angeles,- Califi, assignonby mesne assignments to Engelhard Hanovia,Inc., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 27, 1959, Sen-No. 809,140 6. Claims. (Cl. 123-23) The present invention relates generally to the'illumination art, and more particularly to a novel, high-intensity headlamp for use by surgeons and the like.

Briefly stated, the device includes. a housing and headengaging means for supporting the housing adjacent a wearers forehead. The housing contains a light-tran mitting panelin the front portion thereof, which has its inner surface coated with reflectance material so as to screen out infra-red and dominant heat-producing wave lengths. A lamp is mounted within the housing in back of the panel, the lamp containing a filament and a reflector mounted in back thereof for directing a beam of high-intensity light through the panel. Shielded openings are provided in the housing for circulating air therethrough to cool the lamp and the housing, and means are provided for adjusting .the position of the lamp inthe housing and for adjusting the position of the housing relative to the head-engaging means.

Although lighting conditions in operating rooms have been greatly improved within the past fifteen years, the lighting equipment in use at the present time is not completely satisfactory. The two main problems are shadows and low light intensity in thewound cavity. In endeavoring to overcome these problems, some operating rooms use a single source of overhead illumination-which is redirected by mirrors or reflecting surfaces,.whereas others utilize widely separated multiple light sources. d-Iowever, even with the best of these devices, shadows are caused in the wound area by the headand shoulders of the surgeon and other members of the operating team, and the a headlamp which produces a high-intensity illumination which is under the direct control of the operating surgeon and which is completely free from shadows and outside interference. Specifically, it is an object to'provide-a headlamp which produces in the neighborhood of 1-500 to 1800 foot candles of direct illumination fourteen inches from the device, ina pattern approximately four inches square.

Another object is to provide a headlamp which produces high-intensity, relatively cool illumination in the wound cavity, as for example, in the neighborhood of not more than 98 F. in an ambient room temperature of 70 F. More particularly, it is an object .to provide such a headlamp which filters the infra-red and dominant heat-producing Wave lengths from the projected light and vents the heat from the lamp housing in a direction away from the patient.

Yet another object is to provide a headlamp in which the beam of light is substantially coaxial with the operating surgeons line of vision. More particularly, it is an object to provide such a device in which the light source is positioned adjacent the wearers forehead immediately ice above his eyes so .as to produce a beam of light which is reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgeons headlamp constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2. is an enlarged vertical sectionalview taken on the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-'3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the. line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates a headlamp embodying the teachings of the present invention which is normally used with a 1 106.volt transformer (not shown).

The headlamp It} includes a box-like housing 14 which is preferably made from lightweight plastic .and which contains opposed outer .side walls v16 and 18, a bottom wall 20, and a top wall 22. A molding or beading 24 at the front of the housing definesan opening 25 through which the light is projected, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Mounted in the molding 24 by means of screws 26 is a light-transmitting lens panel 28 which has its inner surface '30 coated with a reflectance material such as vacuum-deposited gold, aluminum silver, .or the like, which limits the passage of infra-red and dominant heat-producing wave lengths. Pressure-sensitivereflector sheets 32 and 34 are attached to the inner surfaces of the top and. bottom walls, respectively, for intensifying the light within the housing. A'rear wall-or panelfi fi is removably fastened in the rear portion of the housingby screws 38 which engage bosses (not shown) within the housing.

As shownin FIG. 3, the rear edge of the bottomwall 20 terminatesshort of the rear wall-36so as to provide an opening 40. Extending. transversely of the housing adjacent the rear, edge of the bottom wall 20 is a short partition wall 42. A screen member 44 is mounted on the partition wall 42 by means of screws 46,-the .screen member extending horizontally rearwardly from .the partition wall to the rear wall .36 so'asto cover the opening 40.

The top wall. 22 contains an openingAS-which is traversed by spaced louvre-like strips 50 (FIG. 2) which provide additional strength. .Formed integral withcthe top wall 22 and extending above the .opening 48 isahood member 52which has an opening. 54 .at.the rear end thereof.

Referring toFIG. 2, the outer side wallalS contains a circular opening 56 and .spaced inwardly therefrom is lamp base 68 which contains two diametrically opposed mounting tabs 70 is positioned within the housing 14 with the tabs 70 adjacent the inner face of the supporting wall 58 (FIG. 4), the bottom of the lamp base extending into the cavity 64. Arcuate slots 72 (FIG. 3) are contained in the supporting wall 58 adjacent the tabs 70, and receive guide bushings 74 which extend between the tabs 70 and the hub 62. Screws 76 extend through the bushings 74 and fasten the lamp base 68 to the hub 62. It will be noted that the hub 62 can be rotated relative to the housing 14, but the amount of rotation is limited by the length of the arcuate slots 72. A handle or shaft 78 extends downwardly from the hub 62 for adjusting the position of the latter, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hub 62 contains diametrically opposed wells 80 which have flat-headed pressure members 82 mounted therein for axial movement within the wells, the heads of the members 82 being held in frictional engagement with the outer face of the supporting wall 58 by coiled springs 84. Thus, when the hub 62 is rotated relative to the housing 14 by means of the handle 78, the frictional engagement of the pressure members 82 with the wall 58 maintains the hub 62 in its adjusted posi tion.

The lamp base 68 removably supports a 150 watt, 6 volt vacuum lamp 86 which contains a coiled filament 88 which has an arcuate reflector 90 positioned within the glass envelope in back of it. The filament 88 extends transversely of the lamp so that when the latter is positioned within the housing 14 in a horizontal position, the filament 88 is in the vertical position. Also, the reflector 90 is shaped so that the projected light which passes through the lens panel 28 forms approximately a four-inch square of illumination fourteen inches from the front of the housing 14. It is to be understood that in some situations, as for example in oral surgery, it is advisable to provide an elongated light pattern, and in such cases the position of the filament and the construction of the lens would be changed accordingly. As mentioned hereinabove, the flat reflectors 32 and 34 reinforce the light Within the housing 14 and the special coating 30 on the panel 28 screens out a large portion of the infrared and other heat-producing wave lengths so that at about fourteen inches from the front of the housing, the intensity of the light is in the neighborhood of 1500 to 1800 foot candles and the temperature is no more than about 98 F. This provides the operating surgeon with high-intensity, relatively cool illumination right in the Wound cavity without any interfering shadows. As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp base 68 is provided with soldering ears 87 to which are attached wires 88 which pass through the outer face of the hub 62 through an opening 90.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that cooling air enters the housing 14 through the screened opening 40, passes upwardly around the lamp 86 and thence out through the louvred opening 48 and the hood member 52. Because the hood opening 54 faces rearwardly, any light which escapes from the housing 14 therethrough is directed away from the work area so as not to produce any interfering illumination which might cause shadows.

Turning to a consideration of the structure for supporting the housing 14 on a users head, it will be noted that the outer side walls 16 and 18 of the housing extend rearwardly of the rear wall 36 (FIG. 3) and each contains an upper slot 92 and a lower tapped hole 94. One end of each of two strap-like head-encircling members 96 and 98 is pivotally fastened to each of the side walls 16 and 18, respectively, by means of a machine screw 100 which is positioned in the tapped hole 94. Special screw members 102 which have large, flat, head portions extend outwardly through the ends of the members 96 and 98, and the slots 92. Mounted on the outer ends of the screw members 102 are knurled nuts 104 for use in binding the members 96 and 98 in adjusted angular position relative to the housing. The strap-like members 96 and 98 are preferably made of plastic, and the overlapping ends thereof are provided with spaced holes 105, which, together with a screw and knurled nut assembly 106, provide means for adjusting the effective size of the head encircling members. A forehead band 108 is fastened between the members 96 and 98 with rivets 110. The rearward portion of the top wall 22 also extends beyond the rear wall 36 of the housing 14 (FIG. 3) and fastened thereto by a screw and nut assembly 112 is a short plastic strap 114 which contains a longitudinally extending slot 116 in the free end thereof. A bracket 118 is fastened in the slot 116 by means of a screw 120 and a knurled nut 122, whereby the position of the bracket 118 relative to the strap 114 can be varied within predetermined limits.

As shown in FIG. 1, the head-encircling strap member 98 contains a slot 124 adjacent the back portion thereof and adjustably mounted therein by means of a screw and knurled nut assembly 126 is a second bracket member 128. A counterweight 138 is fastened to the second bracket member 128 by screws 132 and fastened to both of the bracket members 118 and 128 so as to extend therebetween is a relatively wide cloth head strap 134. The aforementioned counterweight is approximately the same Weight as the weight of the housing 14 so that the entire headlamp assembly will rest comfortably on the head of the wearer without causing any discomfort or undue pressure on his forehead. It has been established that, without the counterweight, the headlamp becomes uncomfortable :after twenty minutes use, whereas when the counterweight is employed, the device can be used continuously for as long as six hours without any side effects.

The two-wire conductor 88 which is connected to the lamp base 68, as previously described, is mounted on the strap member 98 by means of clips 136, and contains a connecting plug 138 at the free end thereof. An alligator clamp 140 is fastened to the conductor 88 adjacent the plug 138, for fastening the conductor assembly to the back of the surgeons gown.

Because of the safety requirements in an operating room, the headlamp 10 is preferably used with a 110- 6 volt transformer (not shown) which contains a connecting plug which is the counterpart of the plug 138.

In operation, the effective size of the head-encircling members 96 and 98 and the length of the top strap 134 are varied by means of the previously described adjusting means until the supporting structure fits the wearers head without any discomfort. After the housing 14 is positioned adjacent the wearers forehead immediately above his eyes, the knurled nuts 104 on both sides of the housing 14 are loosened and the housing tilted relative to the headencircling members until the beam of light is approximately coaxial with the surgeons normal line of vision. As previously described, the amount of this adjustment is controlled by the length of the slots 92. The nuts 104 are then tightened. Thereafter, if the surgeon wishes to make a further finer adjustmtnt in the direction of the projected light, as for example during the operation, he can do so by rotating the hub 62 and the lamp 86 by means of the handle 78. It is preferred to use a hemostat on the handle 78 in order to maintain sanitary conditions in the vicinity of the patient during the operation. As previously mentioned, the pressure friction members 82 maintain the hub 62 in its adjusted position. Because the counterweight 130 is approximately the same weight as the housing assembly, the entire headlamp structure fits comfortably on the surgeons head without any localized pressure and therefore the device can be used for long periods of time without any side effects.

The coated lens panel 28 screens out a large percentage of the heat rays so as to maintain the temperature of the projected light at the wound area at no greater than about 98 F. in a 70 F. ambient room temperature.

Also, the constant flow of air over the lamp 8-6 from the opening 40 and out under the hood member 52 maintains the operating temperature of the lamp and the housing at a reasonably low level. Because the outlet 54 from the hood is directed away from the patient, none of the hot air or extraneous light from the lamp 86 reaches the Work area. In addition, the housing 14 extends over the surgeons eyes so as to function as an eye shade and shield his eyes from the overhead light.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided a novel surgeons headlamp which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given only by way of illustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow:

I claim:

1. A surgeons headlamp, comprising: a housing having a front opening and a side wall; a light-transmitting panel positioned across the front opening; a hub member rotatably mounted in the side wall for limited rotational movement, one end of the hub member extending outside of the housing; a handle member fastened to the outer end of the hub member for adjusting the rotational position thereof; means maintaining the hub member in adjusted rotational position; a lamp base supported in the hub member within the housing; a lamp removably mounted in the lamp base, the lamp containing a filament and also containing a reflector positioned in back of the filament for providing a beam of light; and head-engaging means connected to the housing for supporting it adjacent a wearers forehead.

2. A surgeons headlamp, comprising: a housing having opposed side walls and a front opening; a lighttransmitting panel mounted across the front opening, the inner surface of the panel being coated with reflectance material which reflects dominant heat-producing wave lengths; a lamp mounted within the housing in back of the panel, said lamp containing a filament and also containing a reflector in back of the filament for providing a beam of light, the lamp being positioned to direct the beam of light through the panel; external means mounted on at least one of said side walls and interconnected with the lamp for angularly adjusting the lamp Within the housing whereby the angular position of the light beam relative to the housing can be adjusted; and head-engaging means connected to the housing for supporting it adjacent wearers forehead.

3. A surgeons headlamp according to claim 2 wherein said lamp is a tubular lamp mounted so as to extend transversely of the housing, said filament being positioned vertically to the housing.

4. A surgeons headlamp according to claim 2 wherein the external adjusting means is a hub member rotatably mounted through one of said side Walls, a lamp base supported in the hub member within the housing, and said lamp being mounted in the lamp base.

5. A surgeons headlamp according to claim 4 comprising hub position maintaining means mounted between the wall and hub member for maintaining the hub member in adjusted position.

6. A surgeons headlamp according to claim 5 wherein said hub position maintaining means is a yieldable friction means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,953 Betts Sept. 14, 1897 608,109 Dow July 26, 1898 1,252,989 Ballard Jan. 8, 1918 1,514,868 Solosabel Nov. 11, 1924 1,760,055 Graves May 27, 1930 1,893,773 Good Jan. 10, 1933 1,895,906 Arbuckle Jan. 31, 1933 1,901,180 McBride Mar. 14, 1933 1,904,902 Pratt Apr. 18, 1933 1,925,593 Long Sept. 5, 1933 2,050,724 Mead et al Aug. 11, 1936 2,173,325 Alexander Sept. 19, 1939 2,307,302 Richardson Jan. 5, 1943 2,518,282 Candy Aug. 8, 1950 2,757,574 Thorburn Aug. 7, 1956 2,765,398 Mays Oct. 2, 1956 2,788,439 Hesse Apr. 9, 1957 2,798,943 Prideaux July 9, 1957 2,867,718 Anderson Jan. 6, 1959 2,904,714 Wiley Sept. 15, 1959 

1. A SURGEON''S HEADLAMP, COMPRISING: A HOUSING HAVING A FRONT OPENING AND A SIDE WALL; A LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PANEL POSITIONED ACROSS THE FRONT OPENING; A HUB MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN THE SIDE WALL FOR LIMITED ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT, ONE END OF THE HUB MEMBER EXTENDING OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSING; A HANDLE MEMBER FASTENED TO THE OUTER END OF THE HUB MEMBER FOR ADJUSTING THE ROTATIONAL POSITION THEREOF; MEANS MAINTAINING THE HUB MEMBER IN ADJUSTED ROTATIONAL POSITION; A LAMP BASE SUPPORTED IN THE HUB MEMBER WITHIN THE HOUSING; A LAMP REMOVABLY MOUNT- 